Technical Assistance
Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical
Assistance Center
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical
Assistance Center is to enhance the quality of life and promote the physical
and mental well-being of older Americans through the provision of technical
assistance by reducing the risk for and incidence of substance abuse and mental
health issues late in life. Through partnerships with state and federal
agencies and community health care providers, the Center will serve as a
national repository to disseminate information, training, and direct assistance
in the prevention and early intervention of substance abuse and mental health
problems. Priorities for the Center include prevention and early intervention
of:
Through work with national experts and researchers, Federal agencies and
national aging organizations, the Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Technical Assistance Center is collecting, reviewing, and assessing the
best available knowledge, research, and programmatic efforts around substance
abuse and mental health science for older adults.
Assist States develop State plans around substance abuse, mental health, and
aging
Provide training and technical assistance to States, communities, health and
social service providers, sub-state level organizations, tribes and tribal
organizations, faith-based organizations, and community and faith-based
providers
Identify evidenced-based programs for older adults on substance abuse, mental
health, and health promotion and health education
Identify gaps and trends in the field, and synthesize these findings
Washington and Oregon State Pilot Test:
The Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance
Center recently conducted a State pilot test with Washington and Oregon.
The State pilot test activities were two-fold. In August 2005,
participants took part in an assessment (via conference call) of their state’s
resources, programs, opportunities and challenges. Focusing on the SWOT
(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) approach, the Older
Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
developed an integrated SWOT analyses for both Washington and Oregon, which was
shared with the States on September 14, 2005 in Wenatchee, WA.
There were two goals for the State pilot test. First, to facilitate
participants’ growth in knowledge regarding State strengths and areas for
improvement along with preliminary planning to bridge the gaps identified and
promote collaboration with peers. Second, for the Older Americans
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center to receive
feedback regarding the usefulness of the SWOT and suggestions for further state
planning technical assistance and training activities to foster collaboration
between states and to support state agency personnel in the processes of the
preparation and modification of individual state plans.
Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Problems Section [MS Word][PDF]
Suicide Prevention for Older Adults- Fact Sheet [PDF]
Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in Older Adults- Fact
Sheet [PDF]
Suicide Prevention for Older Adults - Booklet [PDF]
Prevention of Alcohol Misuse for Older Adults - Booklet [PDF]
Prevention of Co-Occurring Disorders in Older Adults - Booklet [PDF]
Depression and Anxiety Prevention for Older Adults - Booklet [PDF]
Prevention of Medication Misuse in Older Adult - Booklet s [PDF]
eCommunication:
eCommunication is the Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Technical Assistance Center’s quarterly electronic newsletter. The
newsletter will include professional articles, highlights of successful older
adult, mental health and substance abuse programs and practices, and a calendar
of events.
Presentations from 2007 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging:
Older Adults and Disaster: Assets and Challenges [
PDF
]
Increasing Provider Comfort Levels: Working with Older Adults [PDF]
SAMHSA Older Americans Technical Assistance Center: Redefining State Planning and Services for Older Adults [PDF]
Get Connected! Toolkit: Linking Medication, Alcohol and Mental Health Resources to the Diverse Older Adult Population in Your Community [PDF]
National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices: Redefining the Application and Review Process [PDF]
Expert Panel:
The Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance
Center convened a group of representatives from national aging organizations,
older adult substance abuse and mental health experts, and consumers as well as
key representatives from other Federal agencies to attend an Expert Panel
meeting. The charge to this group was to provide advice and guidance to
the Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance
Center on how best to develop, plan, communicate and disseminate information on
a range of issues related to substance abuse and mental health programs and
initiatives for older adults. The first meeting was held on March 29,
2005 at the SAMHSA building. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled
for early May 2006.
